Gathering and analyzing clinical data immediately and post-administration of a countermeasure is critical to containing bioterrorist emergencies. For example, inhalational anthrax, considered a serious bio-terrorist threat, occurs when an individual inhales Bacillus anthracis spores. Inhalational anthrax can be fatal and requires urgent attention: affected individuals may suffer respiratory failure or severe hemodynamic instability, increasing the likelihood of death to 45 percent despite critical care and antibiotic treatment.

 

Because common countermeasures—such as antibiotics used to prevent infection in exposed individuals—cannot be ethically tested in human studies, our understanding of safe and effective inhalational anthrax treatments is only gained during outbreaks of the disease. Access to immediate and reliable data in these moments thus becomes critical to survival. The Resilience Intelligence Network prepares government officials and medical providers for potential outbreaks and attacks by working to ensure their capacity for rapid identification, monitoring and treatment.